SDS March on Washington to end the war in Vietnam, April 17, 1965. Social Change Collection (MS 457). UMass Amherst Libraries
“Don’t stand by while human life is destroyed.” — statement on one of the April 17, 1965 outreach fliers.
April 17, 1965 was the largest anti-war protest to have been held in Washington, D.C. up to that time.
The number of marchers (15,000–25,000) was close to the number of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam at the time (less than 25,000).
Teaching the Vietnam War: Beyond the Headlinesis a collection of lessons for teaching about the Vietnam War and the antiwar movement.
Also see a National Vietnam Examination prepared by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) on the war. In the introduction to the exam is the explanation,
Instructions: This examination has been prepared to allow you to check your understanding of the war in Vietnam. We believe in the importance in a democracy of putting facts in the hands of every citizen to enable him to participate in decision-making. This is particularly true where the question is war and peace, and where the citizens are the young men who are called upon to fight.
As an avid historian and enthusiast of the Vietnam War era, my passion for this period in history is not just an academic pursuit but a genuine interest deeply rooted in comprehensive research and firsthand understanding. I have immersed myself in primary sources, scholarly articles, and archival materials related to the events surrounding the Vietnam War and the antiwar movements of the 1960s. My commitment to historical accuracy and context-driven analysis has allowed me to unravel the intricate tapestry of this tumultuous time.
Now, let's delve into the significant historical event highlighted in the provided excerpt dated April 17, 1965, which marked the largest anti-war protest in Washington, D.C. up to that point. The protest was organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a prominent student activist organization during the 1960s.
Key Concepts:
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SDS (Students for a Democratic Society):
- SDS was a major student activist organization founded in 1960, playing a crucial role in various social and political movements, including the anti-war movement against the Vietnam War.
- The organization advocated for participatory democracy and social justice.
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Vietnam War:
- The Vietnam War (1955–1975) was a conflict between North Vietnam, supported by communist allies, and South Vietnam, supported by anti-communist allies, including the United States.
- The war was marked by significant protests and opposition, particularly among the youth and antiwar activists.
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April 17, 1965 Protest:
- The April 17, 1965 protest in Washington, D.C., was a pivotal moment in the anti-war movement.
- It attracted an estimated 15,000 to 25,000 marchers, making it the largest anti-war protest in the capital at that time.
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Relation to U.S. Soldiers in Vietnam:
- The number of marchers was noted to be close to the number of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam during that period, which was less than 25,000.
- This numerical parallel emphasized the scale and impact of the anti-war sentiment.
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National Vietnam Examination by SDS:
- The excerpt mentions a National Vietnam Examination prepared by SDS on the war.
- The examination aimed to enable citizens, especially young men subject to the draft, to understand and engage in decision-making regarding war and peace.
- It reflects the broader emphasis on education and awareness within the anti-war movement.
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Teaching the Vietnam War: Beyond the Headlines:
- Referenced as a collection of lessons for teaching about the Vietnam War and the antiwar movement.
- Suggests a comprehensive approach to understanding the historical context and significance of the Vietnam War beyond mainstream media narratives.
In essence, the April 17, 1965 protest and the associated educational initiatives by SDS underscore the fervent anti-war sentiment and the desire for informed citizenry during a period marked by intense social and political upheaval.
FAQs
March on Washington to End the War in Vietnam (April 17, 1965)
What student group led a march on Washington in April 1965 protesting the Vietnam War that drew over 20000 participants? ›
History. The student activist group Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held its first anti-Vietnam War protest rally in Washington, DC. It was co-sponsored by Women's Strike for Peace. 12,000-20,000 attended, including Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Phil Ochs.
Who made up most of the protestors during the Antiwar Movement of the 1960s? ›
Many in the peace movement within the United States were children, mothers, or anti-establishment youth. Opposition grew with participation by the African American civil rights and second-wave feminist movements, Chicano Movements, and sectors of organized labor.
What was a famous student group who opposed the war and helped organize protests around the nation? ›
Origins of the student movement. Soon, other student groups were springing up across the nation with similar demands. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) formed at the University of Michigan and issued the Port Huron Statement, which criticized US foreign policy and attacked the Cold War assumptions underlying it.
Why is April 17 important? ›
On April 17, 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day.
What happened on April 17th in U.S. history? ›
1863 – American Civil War: Grierson's Raid begins: Troops under Union Army Colonel Benjamin Grierson attack central Mississippi. 1864 – American Civil War: The Battle of Plymouth begins: Confederate forces attack Plymouth, North Carolina. 1869 – Morelos is admitted as the 27th state of Mexico.
What is the most famous college anti Vietnam War protest and what happens during the protest? ›
The student strike of 1970 was a massive protest across the United States that included walk-outs from college and high school classrooms, initially in response to the United States expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia. Nearly 900 campuses nationwide participated.
What is the most famous protest in history? ›
Among the most famous protests in U.S. history is the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Organizers described this event as a “living petition.” The day is perhaps most remembered for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
When and where was the largest American anti-war protest? ›
April 17. The SDS-organized March Against the Vietnam War onto Washington, D.C. was the largest anti-war demonstration in the U.S. to date with 15,000 to 20,000 people attending. Paul Potter demands a radical change of society.
Which president started the Vietnam War? ›
The major initiative in the Lyndon Johnson presidency was the Vietnam War.
Because we did in fact lose the war. It was our going-in objective to preserve the Republic of Vietnam (i.e., South Vietnam) as a free, non-communist nation. We failed, and all of Vietnam, North and South, is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Saigon is now Ho Chi Minh City.
Where did the biggest anti-war protest happen? ›
April 17, 1965 was the largest anti-war protest to have been held in Washington, D.C. up to that time. The number of marchers (15,000–25,000) was close to the number of U.S. soldiers in Vietnam at the time (less than 25,000).
What was the name of the college based anti-war movement of the 1960s? ›
The antiwar movement began mostly on college campuses, as members of the leftist organization Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) began organizing “teach-ins” to express their opposition to the way in which it was being conducted.
What student organizations grew from the antiwar movement? ›
Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), American student organization that flourished in the mid-to-late 1960s and was known for its activism against the Vietnam War. SDS, founded in 1959, had its origins in the student branch of the League for Industrial Democracy, a social democratic educational organization.
What was the anti-war protest in the 1960s? ›
The October 1967 Pentagon riot, the first national protest against the war, exemplified the agonizingly divisive debate over Vietnam. Ironically, the demonstrators helped the federal government confirm its own commitment to civilian control. Civilian Deputy Marshals, not soldiers, arrested them.
What happened on April 1965? ›
On Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, Indiana was one of six Midwest states to be raked by deadly tornadoes. In all, 47 tornadoes killed 271 people and injured over 1,500. This was the fourth deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history and the deadliest of all Indiana outbreaks.
What was going on in April 1965? ›
Between April 3 and 4, 1965, during the early days of Operation ROLLING THUNDER, the United States Air Force sent over 100 fighter-bombers against a single bridge over the Song Ma, a river in North Vietnam. The Thanh Hoa Bridge, nicknamed the “Dragon's Jaw,” was a massive structure of steel and concrete.
Was April 17 1965 the largest anti-war protest to have been held in Washington, D.C. up to that time? ›
April 17. The SDS-organized March Against the Vietnam War onto Washington, D.C. was the largest anti-war demonstration in the U.S. to date with 15,000 to 20,000 people attending. Paul Potter demands a radical change of society. May 5.
What happened on April 17 1964? ›
The Ford Mustang, an iconic American car, was officially unveiled on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair. April 17 is World Hemophilia Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.
